Universal propelling mechanism.



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2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

APPLICATION FILED MARES, 1905.

PATENTBD FEB. 1.3, 1906.

D. W. RANTINE. UNIVERSAL PROPELLINGMECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED MALZS, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WQ J v Sv MN Lluli I ll ITA/ESSES.'

ilnsuirnn` STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

. mann'.4 w. 'ANTiNa or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

UNIVERSAL PoPELUNc-z MEcl-IANISM.v

Patented. Feb. 1s, 1906.

Application filed March 28, 1905. Serial No. 252,501.

I able those skilled iny the art to which it appertains to make and use the same; l

My invention involves an apparatus to e1'- form what I term universal propelling. It may be used in propelling ahead, backward, upward, downward, and laterally to either side; also, for steering purposes, if desired.

' I have provided a tubular propeller-head secured to a tubular rnain propeller-shaft and a grooved interior shaft within the said propeller-head and nain shaft and revoluble propeller-blades, which may be changed in their angles relatively to the main propeller-shaft and to the vessel. The changes of the angle of the ropeller-blades are effected by turning an shifting endwise the said grooved interior shaft, as required. For ahead or back propelling .or for sailing 4the.grooved interior shaft is held in a safety connection to the tubular main shaft by what I term the main lock and geared therewith. The said interior shaft is provided with means by which it "lock," The main* shaft and the propeller may. be 'turned continuously around while the interior shaft is thus held, and by so doing thefp'ropeller-bllades will be revolved in their respective places with the peculiarity that the act on the Water edgewise, and consequent y ineiectively, and in the opposite portion of each revolution they act againstv the water flatwise, and consequentlyforcibly.` This style of propelling I term the lateral propelling.

The invention is fully'r disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanymg drawings form a part. v Similar parts are referred tov by similar let- I ters throughout. i

. propeller Aportion of the e 1 is-a sectional side elevation of the Ipro eller-shaft and a portion ofthe stern-loc ho der or post is shown therewith. f Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1; but the propellerblades are not shown. Fig. 3, is in line 3 3 in Fig. 1, showing in section the stem-lock shell and. adjacent parts. Fig. 4 is Va rear end vlew of the grooved interior shaft on a large ,/propelleread is provi scale. Fig. 5 is on the same scale. It is a section on line 5,5 in Fig. 1, showing in sectlon the bevel-gear and the grooved interlor s haft Within. Fig is a side elevation ofthe pro] ecting end of the grooved tubular part serving 1n the main'lock. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal slde elevation of the entire apparatus, Showlng 1n section a part of the tubular main shaft and a part of the stern-tube and frame. The propeller-blades are in feathered posltlon for sailing. In Fig. 8 is seen how the pro ellerblades are set in ahead propelling. In 1g. 9 is seen the blades set at the proper angle for back propelling. Figs. 10, 11, 12, and 13 represent rear end views of the propellerhead and the stem-lock shell and the blades as they act in different directions in the lateral and uprightV propelling. In Fig. 1 0 the blade action turns the vessel to the left. In Fig. 1 1 the propelling is downward, in Fig. 12

lturning to the right, and in Fig. 13 is upward.

, Figs. .1 and 7 show the entire apparatus and a-portion A of the stern-frame adyacent to the stern-tube\ A', also the stern-lock holder or post A2; Within the stern-tube is used the ordinary lubricating means and Journals and stufling-boxes (not shown) around the tubular main shaft B. The rear end of the shaft B is tapered, and the (propeller-head B" is secured over the tapere end by keys and bolts n, which are arranged to strongly fasten the propeller-head to a couplin ring or flange B1, which latter is mounte 0n a. threaded ortion of the ropeller-shaft. `The dled with two nearly opposite blade-recesses for holding bladeears G and H, one in each recess. The lades vHj and GrY are secured on the bladegears with bolts and also eachl by a screwthreaded center shank.` Within the ropeller-head is mounted the sup lementa 1nternal shaft D, having libert oth to turn andfto slide endwiseas sha1 be required.

This shaft lD has two opposite grooves which extend rearward, one `portion- D lbeing straight and another portion D2 helical, as shown, to theleft. On the straightooved portion is slidably feathered the beve -gear E and is operated by the straight grooves D only. Another bevel-gear F 1s also slidably mounted on this said interior shaftfand is'o erated by either of the different grooyes,-t e straight or the helical. The gear F 1s made serviceable by having a. set of interior studs F (see Fig. 5) xed to the gear and held therein by the cross screws or pms F. The smooth IIC round ends F3 of the studs extend to the grooves ofthe shaft D. The interior of the The lever 1s connected by the bar C and by the adjacent parts to the shifterfbar C4,which latter is carried in the racks A4 A5, and a yoke C5 is secured to the bar C4 and the sleeve C6,-

being mounted on the tubular main shaft B and connected to the yoke C5 with the ordi-f nary devices. (Not shown.) Two iingers C7 extend through the'slots b in the main shaft B from the sleeve C to the groove c in the swivel C8, which latter is connected to the shifter-rod C9.' This rodvis joined tothe interior shaft D by the tubular main lock part D3. A stuffing-box C1 is provided around the rod C9 to retain the lubricating-oil within the shaft B. All these shift parts, Vincluding the interior shaft D, may be held in fixed positions bythe ointer rod or catch C carried by the lever and provided with a sprin which presses` ittoward the 'predetermined notches in the sector Q21 Any action of the propeller which is obtained by shifting the lever is indicated by the letters below the notch in which the catch C is set. H is ior ahead, S indicates sailing, B backward, .vL for left, D for down, R for right, and U is u ward ropelling. The bladerecess, which olds t e blade-gear H and the blade therewith, is farther forward than the other recess which holds the blade-gear G and the blade therewith. Thisl difference in location of the recesses allows an lindependent operation for each blade, allowing the blade-gear H to coact with the bevel-gear E and the other blade-gear G to coact with the bevel-gear F.l Within the blade-recesses are removably xed bearing-cones B4 (see Figs. 1 and 2) with screws e and by the center studs to the propeller-head. The blade-gears are mounted over these -cones and bearin cu s or rings B3 over the blade-gears. The la egears have bearing-runways corresponding to bearing-runways in the said cones an cups. The cups are removablysecured to the'propeller-head by screw-threads and by threaded lock-rings B5. Forward of the propeller-head is secured within the tubular main shaft B the projective end main-.lock bushing B2, (see Figs.' 1 and 6,) which has an interior helical groove b to correspond to a helical pointed ridge or thread D4, carried on a tubular piece D3, which is rigidly secured to the interior shaft D. By drawing the shaft Maese D so far in that the ridge D4 will come within the groove b the interior shaft and the main shaft will be locked together, and any further endwisc shifting of the interior shaft in thisv helical main locking engagement will turn the said shaft. D and the bevel-gears E and F, and therewith the blade-gears and blades, to any desired angles for ahead and back propellin for sailing. The ridge D4 and the groove constitute a right-hand screw and are guided or set the blades featherin to engagement with each other by their inclining sides, which begin from projecting points. The other mode of propellin (lateral propelling) is accomplished by t e aid of a combination of devices called the sternlock. The body or shell R of this sternlock is tubular in form and is partly carried v*Within the rear end of the propeller-head,

having a flange R secured to its -inner end.. An added piece or stop-ring B9 is removably secured to the propeller-head, and a spring R is placed between the stop-ring and the flange R to keep the lock-shell 4R in a uniform position to slide a little back and forth in case the rear end of the interior shaft D is. suddenly pressed against .the helical interior rid e B3, which is located within the said loc -shell R. (Seen in Figs. 1 and 3.) This helical ridge R3 is the coacting member to the only open helical groove D2 on thel rear end of the-interior shaft D. (See Fig. 4.) To the lock-shell R is secured a do R4, which reaches to a slot of a slot-pin, held by a screw-A3 to 'a holder-post A2, but allowing liberty for the said holder to turn. The aim of the do the slot-pin, and the holder is to keep t e stern-lock shell from turning and the bevel-gears E and F there` with, while'the interior shaft D has engaged 5, which is IOO the service of the stern-lock. The bevelgears E and'F being held stationary While the bladeears H- and G are revolved with the prope er, having each twice as many teeth as. their opposing bevel-gear, the propeller-blades will act in a mannersuitable for the lateral propelling, which may be set to any direction by s l ing the interior shaft D endwise in its helical stern-lock enga ement.

The operation is easily understood. Remembering that the interiol` shaft D has a full control of the 'propeller-blades, andby ,an

endwise shifting of this said interior shaft the said propeller-blades may be conditioned for any of the diierent actions preferred. In 'the first instance the interior shaft 1s drawn far in, the main lock engaging the'pointed rid e D4 far within the groove b. VThe propel er-blades have the angles shown m'.F1g. 8, suitable for propellin ahead, the revolving direction. assumed to ie as shown by the arrows on the drawings. The thrusting farther out of thegshaft D will move the ridge D4 half-way in the groove b for sailing. The propeller-bladbs are set in the plane of the mam I shaft, as seen in Fig. 7l I further movement rearward of the internal shaft D will set the i blades, as seen in Fig. 9, Asuitable for back propelling.. A; certain .shiftin Q rearward 'of `shaft D will open themain loc ,"aiid vbotli of` the bevelears E-and Fare now'o erated by the strai t grooves D and the b ades have the suita le angle forthe' lateral propelling,

as seen in Fig. 1. condition, the shaft D is-thrust so far out as to engage the service of the'stern-lock by the open roove D2 tov the interior ridge Raof the sternook shell.

ment with'the stern-lock the propeller-b a es l' will act, as seen in Fig. 10, l to v prc'ipelor the vessel to the left. 1

Figs. 10, 11, 12,A and 13, as stated before,- are rear end views of thepropellei. The arrows crossing Ythe actin blades-show the f revolving 'direction of t epropeller.. By

shifting the shaft D farther rearward a downward propelling is effected, as seen in Fig. 1 1. For turning the vessel to the ri ht the said shaftD is thrust farther out an theblades will act as seeii in Fig. 12. A still furthery movement rearward of the shaft D will attain upward propelling, as shown in Fig.13. All the different locking engagements may -be opened and renewed-by shifting` then-interior shaft to. the proper extent in the proper directions.

The entire apparatus iS durable and simple in construction, and in operation modications may be made. vThe invention may be used alone or duplicated. Parts ma be made of anyY desired length or strength to suit various kindsand classes of vessels with-v out departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantagesv of the invention, an mportantuse being in submarine vessels. .Any

suitabl means and power maybe emplo ed to rev lve the main shaft and also to' shift the interior shaft.A

lWhat I claim das my invention, and desire Vto-secure by Letters Patent, Y

1. In a universal proeller, the combina.-

' tion' of a tubular prope er-liead secured' to a 'the said recesses, the cu tubular main propeller-shaft a supplemental threaded or grooved slidabl within the said tubular propeller-head and main shaft; revoluble propeller-blades, and a main lock and a stern-lock;`.said ropellerhead having blade-recesses, andb adeearsA within' the said recesses and held therein by `threaded be -cu sand bearing-cones movably secure to t e'propeller-head within being held by screw-threads and by the t aded lock-rings and the said concsv with screws and by acenter stud therewith; said cups and'con'es having bearing-runways and opposing 'bearingrunways in the blade-gears, the saidblade gears having each a screwed center hole'l to receive and old the screw-,threaded center To attain this last-namedl This open groove D2 `is a, left-hand thread, and\in thisfiirst e a ee interior shaftfrom the ropeller-"blades which are also fastened .wit bolts on the said blade-gears; said supplemental interior shaft having straight grooves which .extend to vbecome helical grooves having one direction in their certain elical tend; said main lockl being tubular in form and havin ahelical open interior groove and secured to the said tubular main shaft and a pointed helical ridge secured on .Y

the saidinterior shaft, arranged to coact with the 'said open groove of the tubuiarmaiii lock part, the said helical pointed ridge and said -operi helical oove having an o posite di` .rection in their certain helical ten from the aforesaid helical ooves on the said supplemental interior shlaft; all. the said ridge and v said grooves capable of adjusting and holding er-blades andthe said interior Ashifted and held to effect the esired changes ofthe propellerblades; said sup le'mental shaft having one bevel-gear slida le feathered, and operated by the aforesaid stra' ht grooves; another bevelgear'niounted o slidableon this said supplemental shaft and having circular interior studs extending to the said grooves -of the said .supplemental shaft, and being operated -by either the helical or straight portions ofthe grooves of this said interior shaft; one of the said bevel-gears.

roc

inmesh with one of the said blade-gears and thelother saidAbevel-gear in mesh with the other of the saidbladeears; said bladegears having twice the num er of teeth as the number of teeth on their said o posing bevelgears; vsaid bevel-gears having Ibetweeny them a tubular distance-piece'and two threaded setrings providedto keep them toward thesaid distanceiece with freedom` to revolveand mesh-wit' the said blade-gears subjoined to the said propeller-head is the aforesaid stern- ,lock which consists of a tubular lock-shell with a iiange Athereon'a stop-ring removably secured to the1pro eller-head, and a spring between the said a ring v'be' set therein to release and prevent nge and the said stopi the-breaking of the parts and to get a quick v action, of the parts effecting the engagement ,between the said stern-lock and. the said interior shaft; withinfthe said stem-lock shell is provided an engaging member which may be .-a helical ridge or groove and a corresponding helical ridge or oove or an engagin inember being provi ed on the rear end of t "e said interior shaft; the p ose of the stem-lock is to hold the said interior shaft-from turning, while the said tubular propeller-'head and, main shaft may be v continuously `revolved,

' shifting vt the hehcal stern-lock enga ement; said stern- A lock shell having a dog W 'ch c'oacts with a slot of a slot-pin, said slot-pin bein preferably connected to a holder post w 'ch also may be sed for a rudder-post, the. urpose of the said holder-post slot-pin and dbg 1s to hold the stern-lock and parts connected therewith from turning, substantially as shownl and described for purposes specified.

2. The combination in a universal propeller, a tubular ropeller-head secured to a tubular main sha t, a supplemental threaded or grooved slidable'interior shaft Within the' said tubular pro eller-head and main shaft, revoluble propel er-blades and a main lock and a stern-lock; said main lock involving two opposing projecting ints the sides of which incline ltoforrn a he ical ridge and a helical groove and the said helical ridge coacting with the saidv helical groove whereby the said supplemental interior shaft may be shifted to a' helical safety engagement with the said tubular main shaft and geared in connection erento therewith with liberty to move endwise to ei'iect the req nired changes oi the angle of the propeller-blades, and the said interlor shaft eing free to release its helical main-lock engagement and slide to receive the stern-lock engagement consisting of members for holding t e said interior shaft from turning while the said tubular main shaft and ropeller is revolved, thereby developing a ateral ropelling, the said members involving a he ical ridge or groove and a member which may be engaged to coact with'vthe last-named helical rid e or groove to obtain the said lateral propel ng in any directions preferred, and means whereby the said engagements and the parts performing the operation may be opened and .renewed lto obtain a greater merit in universal pro eliing;

` Sligned at of March, l). 1905.

DANIEL W, RANTINE..

Witnesses: l

F. A. CHICKERING, p K GEORGE MCKITTRIGK.

New York, in the'county of New. York and State of New York, this 25th day 

